Pesto Spaghetti In Instant Pot

Pesto Spaghetti In Instant Pot

Pesto spaghetti made in the instant pot without basil leaves or pine nuts using barilla spaghetti noodles and homemade pesto sauce from scratch (made using spinach leaves and cashews) makes a simple, quick, easy and delicious, kid friendly vegetarian meal for dinner, all in about half an hour time.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword pesto noodles, pesto pasta without basil leaves and pine nuts, pesto spaghetti, pesto spaghetti instant pot recipe, pesto spaghetti without basil leaves and pine nuts

Prep Time 7

Cook Time 3

pressure build up and release time for instant pot 24

Total Time 34

Servings

Calories 555kcal

Author PA

Equipment

6 quart instant pot

Ingredients

16 oz spaghetti noodles
6 cups water
salt as needed
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk optional
1.5 cups shredded cheese may adjust the amount slightly, I used Mexican blend

for the sauce

3 cups spinach leaves
1 cup cashews soak the cashews in water in advance if you want the sauce to be smooth
2 cups water

Instructions

Blend the spinach leaves, cashews and 2 cups of water together in a blender until you get a smooth sauce ( a little grainy texture from the cashews are fine, if you want it really smooth you can soak the cashews in water in advance for about 15 minutes). Keep this prepared spinach pesto sauce aside.
Break the spaghetti noodles in half and add the noodles to the instant pot.
Add the 6 cups of water and also add enough salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Let the noodles soak in the water for about 5 minutes. After five minutes, gently stir the noodles. Make sure the noodles are not stuck at the bottom of the pot, or the noodles can burn when you cook.
Place the butter on top.
Close the instant pot with lid in sealing position, press manual and cook in high pressure for 3 minutes.
Once the cooking is done, press the 'keep warm/cancel' button and wait for a natural pressure release for 12 minutes, after which you can do a careful and gradual, controlled manual pressure release.
Once the pressure is all released, carefully open the lid, add the olive oil and gently stir the pasta. If any noodles is clumped together, use a fork to separate the noodles if needed.
Add the prepared pesto sauce to the cooked noodles, stir in to coat the noodles.
Add the cheese, heavy cream and milk (if using), stir in to mix with the cooked pasta. Serve hot for the best taste and if you want it saucy! The noodles will absorb most of the sauce as it cools down, but it still will be delicious!

Notes

If you want to add in more flavors or a spicy hint, you may sprinkle a little black pepper powder or red chili flakes and dried oregano powder if you wish!

Also if you want to add in more vegetables, you can add frozen peas or diced carrots while you cook the pasta, just add them on top of the sauce and do not stir.

Nutrition